YORK-BORN footballer Lucy Staniforth is expected to make her senior debut for England in Kazakhstan this afternoon.

The 25-year-old attacking midfielder, who started out in football by playing for the boys’ team at Copmanthorpe Primary School, is poised to win her first full cap in the side’s latest World Cup qualifier.

Phil Neville’s team beat Wales 3-0 at the weekend to make it three wins and a draw from their opening four group matches as the players look to secure a place in next summer’s finals, hosted by France.

Having won 28 caps for her country from under-17 to under-23 levels and played at U17 and U20 World Cup finals, Staniforth earned her first call-up to the senior squad for the World Cup qualifier against Russia in June.

The Birmingham City ace was once described by former Three Lionesses’ coach Mark Sampson as “one of the best young players in Europe” and, after a career that has been curtailed at times by injury, she now looks ready to announce herself on the full international stage.

Staniforth is the daughter of former York City attacker and York College head of sport development Gordon.

Starting out at Sunderland, she broke through to the first team at the age of 16 and spells with Lincoln, Bristol Academy and Liverpool followed before she returned to her first club and was named Player of the Year last season prior to joining Birmingham.